An Opus of Shattered Realms: Unheard Cries-II
Okram Ashokumar Meitei *
'Unheard Cries-II' by Laishom Rituchandra Singh
Echoes with the silent symphony of trauma, an opus of anguish and disquietude painted across the canvas. Each section is a narrative, every figure is a whispered testament to the tumultuous odyssey of a soul.
In its profound depths, the masterpiece "Unheard Cries-II" by Laishom Rituchandra Singh transcends mere pigment and brush; it stands as an emissary of profound suffering, a witness to the unspoken lamentations and the searing outcry of a tormented collective.
The Artist, a conduit for the unarticulated, has woven the threads of personal agony, anger, and heartbreak into a tapestry of raw, unfiltered emotion. It is one of the paintings from his "Unheard Cries" series which manifests as a haunting symphony spun from the very fabric of the artist's harrowing ordeal, influenced by the stylistic language of maestros like Vijendra Sharma.
Within this canvas, a chiaroscuro of agony unfolds, painted upon a dark background symbolizing life's descent into an abyss, reflective of the artist's intimate struggle. Amidst this chiaroscuro, a poignant narrative unravels—a dismantled flag looms overhead, an allegory portraying the Kuki people's aspirations for a separate identity, fracturing Manipur's unity.
Etched boldly in Bengali script, a newspaper headline in the canvas's foreground pierces through the chaos: 'Kuki make war on Meites for banning Poppy'.
Here lies the artist's revelation, a courageous attempt to expose the roots of Manipur's ethnic turmoil, igniting on that fateful day of the 3rd of May 2023.
At the heart of this tableau placed a profile of a child, their piercing gaze mirroring the artist's daughter, an embodiment of innocence shattered by the tumult.
Their tear-stained eyes bear witness to the unspeakable—a reflection of the artist's raw emotion. Within those eyes blazes an inferno, capturing the anguish of seeing their home engulfed in flames, a tragic consequence of the Kuki Militants' actions during the ethnic crisis.
The Artist's manipulation of the gaze within this piece is nothing short of captivating. The singular eyes fixated on the Poppy flowers wield a magnetic allure, beckoning forth a spectrum of feelings—animosity, antipathy, and even a disconcerting unease.
Through this deliberate choice, the artist extends an invitation, a tacit plea for us to delve into the unsettling truths woven within their narratives.
It's an artful communion, forging an intimate bond between the observer and the abhorrent realities encapsulated within the frame. This gaze isn't passive; it's a conduit to provoke contemplation, to stir the depths of our consciousness.
Yet, amidst this arresting stare lies another facet—a tender, heartrending depth resonating from the child's eyes. They serve as portals, offering a profound glimpse into the Artist's soul. These eyes transcend mere observation; they invite us into the enigmatic labyrinth of human existence.
Through them, the Artist lays bare the raw, unfiltered emotions, orchestrating an immersive experience that transcends the mere visual. Indeed, the eyes, harnessed as vessels of expression, weave an intricate tapestry of emotion and narrative.
They serve as emissaries, delivering potent messages that transcend the boundaries of sight, resonating with viewers on a visceral, emotional level. In wielding the power of the gaze, the Artist has not only painted an image but crafted a dialogue—a silent yet profoundly eloquent exchange between creation and observer.
Gaze upon this work and feel the pulse of unrest, the reverberations of a world grappling with the shattering shards of an ethnic crisis. It's not a mere portrayal but a mirror reflecting the shared tribulations, resonating with the heartbeat of a society besieged by turmoil.
'Unheard Cries II ' transcends the realm of a mere painting; it's a soulful ballad, a vivid testament to the fragmented land and the silent anguish of those ensnared within its turmoil—a poignant requiem painted in hues of suffering and resilience.
* Okram Ashokumar Meitei wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer can be contacted at ashokumarokram(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was webcasted on 29 December 2023 .
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